Processor cache management with software input via an intermediary
First Claim
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1. A method of cache management in a computer system, the method comprising:
- providing, by an upper layer of software of the computer system, input to an intermediary between the upper layer of software and a processor subsystem of the computer system, where the input indicates how items of a working set are going to be accessed by the upper layer of software when the upper layer of software is executed by the processor subsystem;
determining, by the intermediary, a cache usage and management hint for the working set based at least in part on the input and a cache configuration of the processor subsystem; and
providing, by the intermediary, the cache usage and management hint to the processor subsystem for consideration by the processor subsystem when performing cache management.
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Abstract
Software assists a processor subsystem in making cache replacement decisions by providing an intermediary with information regarding how instructions and/or data of a working set are expected to be used and accessed by the software. The intermediary uses this information along with its knowledge of system requirements, policy and the cache configuration to determine cache usage and management hints for the working sets. The cache usage and management hints are passed by the intermediary to the processor subsystem.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of cache management in a computer system, the method comprising:
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providing, by an upper layer of software of the computer system, input to an intermediary between the upper layer of software and a processor subsystem of the computer system, where the input indicates how items of a working set are going to be accessed by the upper layer of software when the upper layer of software is executed by the processor subsystem; determining, by the intermediary, a cache usage and management hint for the working set based at least in part on the input and a cache configuration of the processor subsystem; and providing, by the intermediary, the cache usage and management hint to the processor subsystem for consideration by the processor subsystem when performing cache management. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A processor subsystem comprising:
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at least one processor; one or more caches able to store items of working sets along with indications of cache usage and management hints for the items, wherein the cache usage and management hints are considered by the processor subsystem when managing one or more of the caches. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification